Educational Leadership, Administration and Foundations

M.S. Degree Program in Student Affairs & Higher Education

APPLICATION AND ADMISSION

The SAHE program admits students for fall only. See below for dates and deadlines.

Admission Requirements:

Each applicant must satisfy the general criteria for admission to the School of Graduate Studies and each of the following requirements:

  1. Earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

  2. Have an overall undergraduate grade point average near or above 2.75 on a 4.00 point scale. For students with a GPA near or below 2.75 on a 4.00 point scale GPA, special attention is given to their final 60 credit hours.

  3. Have an approved assistantship (on-campus applicants) or work full time (distance applicants) in an approved area of Student Affairs and Higher Education. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

  4. Additional requirements for admission and/or progress toward the degree may be applicable. See the Graduate Catalog from the School of Graduate Studies.

Note: the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is NOT required for admission to the SAHE program. You are not required to submit scores.

Preparing for the program - Undergraduate courses. There is no specific academic preparation for student affairs administration at the undergraduate level although most students have academic backgrounds in education, the social or behavioral sciences. A common element among our graduate students is an active participation in campus life as an undergraduate, or in their work since graduation. Both paid and unpaid work on campus and with organizations working with campus life is an important source or experience in student affairs.

Application Materials Required:

The items below are to be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies at the following address

School of Graduate Studies
Indiana State University
183 Tirey Hall
Terre Haute, IN  47809

Please send the following application materials to the SAHE program:

Denise Collins
Indiana State University
ELAF Department
College of Education
Terre Haute, IN  47809

Dates and Deadlines:

The SAHE program admits students for fall only.

The School of Graduate Studies deadline for fall admission is June 1. The SAHE program reviews applicants beginning February 15. Those applications completed by February 15 will receive full consideration; we will continue to accept applications until the cohort is full. Failure to submit all of the above items in a timely manner can delay your admission decision. The SAHE program will have on-campus admission/assistantship interview days March 14-15, 2010. Please contact us for details on the SAHE Days program.

Instructions for the Personal Statement. Applicants must write a personal statement emphasizing those life experiences that are relevant to their pursuit of a career in student affairs. In a typed paper, the applicant must answer the questions below:

  1. Why do you want to be a student affairs professional?
  2. What or who has most influenced your wanting to pursue this career goal?
  3. What experiences did you have as a college student that contribute to your desire to work in student affairs?
  4. What qualities do you believe will enable you to be a successful student affairs professional, and what strengths do you believe will help you achieve your academic and professional goals?

 

Financial Aid

Loans and grants are also available through the Office of Student Financial Aid, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, (812) 237-2215.

Information on scholarship and grant opportunities:

There are a variety of sources of funding to support your studies. The federal, state, and institutional opportunities can be found on the School of Graduate Studies website. The department also has some limited scholarship and grant award opportunities (ranging from a few hundred dollars to $1-2,000). These are typically awarded every Spring via application from students who are enrolled in the program. Thus, you would be eligible once you have begun your studies. Please let the ELAF Office know of your interest so you can be contacted once the award programs are announced, generally in mid-March.